Front shocks have i made a mistake here

[Ecc33]

Hi all

In the middle of replacing front shocks on 2011 z4 23i

Removed the old shock and compared it to the ew and the new is 50mm longer…

Hmmmm .

I guess this is not right, which part do i need then?

The parts i have are bilstein b4 pn 22-183897 and the shock that came off (looks original at 120k miles) is pn 6784917 As far as i can see these should be interchangeable.

Can anyone tell me what part i need here ? I also bought rears b4bilstein but havent checked them yet..
Pics attached.

 

[Ecc33]

Pics

 

[Ecc33]

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2019677

This thread is opposite problem but suggests it might be ok?

 

[bigwinn]

Can you pull the shaft out further on the new one?

 

[Ecc33]

Can you pull the shaft out further on the new one?

I cant pull the shaft out farther on either one. Even if i try really hard.

The new bilstein is solid when pulled. The old one kinda resists like its spring or rubber stopped. Id say i can move it 10mm up (old one) but it sucks back in immediately

 

[Rockhopper]

The only dimension that’s important is from the spring platform to the bottom of the strut. The length of the damper rod doesn’t matter. It’ll sit where it sits when the spring is in there.

 

[flybobbie]

Surprised they lasted 120k, i bet been bust last 50k miles.
The old look well gone way too low.
I fitted B4, they looked as yours.
BMW shocks fitted are rubbish, my car rears gone at 50k miles.
I did have B6's, but later fitted B4 for slightly softer ride, B6 waste of money, look nice in yellow though

 

[Ecc33]

i fitted it seems ok. will do other side tommorrow. ordered a strut top socket so i can tighten it up to spec 63nm i think it should be. the b4 come with a 19 nylock but the oem bolt is a flared 18mm non nylock. Don't if that makes any difference to anything.

 

[Ecc33]

Surprised they lasted 120k, i bet been bust last 50k miles.
The old look well gone way too low.
I fitted B4, they looked as yours.
BMW shocks fitted are rubbish, my car rears gone at 50k miles.
I did have B6's, but later fitted B4 for slightly softer ride, B6 waste of money, look nice in yellow though

well i'm 100% sure the rears are totally gone. The car sways around like a boat above 50mph. I have rtabs and shocks for the rear which i'm hoping should sort it out. Only concern is alignment, i guess it's totally advised to get proper alignment but I will try the string method to see where we are first.

 

[flybobbie]

First sign mine had gone was the traction light flickering on bumpy country lanes.
Whilst doing the front shocks replace the upper bearing mounts, don't cost much.
Like this; https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/396183485125?fits=Plat_Gen%3AE89%7CModel%3AZ4&_skw=z4+e89+upper+front+damper+bearing+mount&itmmeta=01JPEX5AGSC4K1RFHZ6NWGBW1Y&hash=item5c3e603ac5:g:m8sAAeSwJG5nplHt&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAABAFkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1dsVpr1b0kHG4QWIMCd6%2BE2VFpty%2FeFNwEh5kb%2BU8mXDRTNfcWsihC0xx8cr%2BnrQefSJEOAXZ%2BZ%2Bbm3n0xL5XwLB91iNUDw5xq7eBXO2j0Kuu7yy1%2FDX8pwK5rHUgClrneHAzxH0yV30waP506rsp5nJmDFYFbrHxykCHYLzBFnUG%2FhVTw6i8wmqlYgZbJEG%2BpRg9IKNCijF3CvFzpevVIlWWGq5gS3Pp%2FGut9c%2BhjyT%2FCQeVlVBLdAgFVtZ0HcLRxd5hdd4NHG911IU9sGMS%2BxJhiKtnNQEFfxHo3S1787anhsqSAJf%2FfBmjY9%2FgiEFFs%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8yold2zZQ
One on my car was worn giving impression a bearing had gone the wheel would rock slightly..

 

[flybobbie]

String method across wheels won't work, the rear track is wider than the front.
You need to run two parallel string along either wheel.
Get two lengths of cheap wood, mark with craft knife two notches then rest on say car stands and run some cotton or fishing line.
When done seek out a free alignment check, garages do that around here, then refuse the "£100" adjustment and do yourself, at least you have the readings.

 

[flybobbie]

Also if you have runflat tyres my car was scary, tramlined and felt like it was trying to pull me into oncoming traffic.

 

[raymond.harper]

It is always a worry when you buy a part you suspect is not right; fakes are being produced. Examine the new ones very carefully!

 

[flybobbie]

Bilstein have online shop.

 

[Ecc33]

First sign mine had gone was the traction light flickering on bumpy country lanes.
Whilst doing the front shocks replace the upper bearing mounts, don't cost much.
Like this; https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/396183485125?fits=Plat_Gen%3AE89%7CModel%3AZ4&_skw=z4+e89+upper+front+damper+bearing+mount&itmmeta=01JPEX5AGSC4K1RFHZ6NWGBW1Y&hash=item5c3e603ac5:g:m8sAAeSwJG5nplHt&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAABAFkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1dsVpr1b0kHG4QWIMCd6%2BE2VFpty%2FeFNwEh5kb%2BU8mXDRTNfcWsihC0xx8cr%2BnrQefSJEOAXZ%2BZ%2Bbm3n0xL5XwLB91iNUDw5xq7eBXO2j0Kuu7yy1%2FDX8pwK5rHUgClrneHAzxH0yV30waP506rsp5nJmDFYFbrHxykCHYLzBFnUG%2FhVTw6i8wmqlYgZbJEG%2BpRg9IKNCijF3CvFzpevVIlWWGq5gS3Pp%2FGut9c%2BhjyT%2FCQeVlVBLdAgFVtZ0HcLRxd5hdd4NHG911IU9sGMS%2BxJhiKtnNQEFfxHo3S1787anhsqSAJf%2FfBmjY9%2FgiEFFs%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8yold2zZQ
One on my car was worn giving impression a bearing had gone the wheel would rock slightly..

I did also replace this as well. New part slightly different to the orig but i don’t think it matters

 

[Ecc33]

Also if you have runflat tyres my car was scary, tramlined and felt like it was trying to pull me into oncoming traffic.

Yes it has quite new run flats but i am changing to mps5 after i change the suspension parts